Markets & Finance

Europe Markets End Lower

September 22, 2003

European stock markets closed lower. London's Financial Times-Stock Exchange 100 index lost 6.50 points, or 0.15%, to 4,221.70. In Paris, the CAC 40 lost 16.91 points, or 0.52%, to 3,266.04, as French consumer spending contracted 2.7% in August, the largest slide in 7 years. At same time, French consumer prices rose 0.3% in August.

Germany's DAX index fell 45.25 points, or 1.31%, at 3,411.02 as there was reaction to a report German construction sales fell in July.

In Asia, Japan's stock market was closed on Tuesday for Autumnal Equinox Day, a national holiday. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index gained 71.09 points, or 0.65%, to finish at 10,944.36.